Tell Me A Scary Story...But Not Too Scary

by Carl Reiner

Everyone loves scary stories, and comedy legend Carl Reiner invites readers to huddle close as he tells a young boy's tale of the mysterous house next door.

Genres: Halloween, Childrens, Picture Books, Juvenile, Horror, Realistic Fiction, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2003

About the author

Carl Reiner was an American actor, film director, producer, writer and comedian. He has won nine Emmy Awards and one Grammy Award during his career. He has the distinction of being the only person to appear on all five incarnations of The Tonight Show. He is best known for his work in Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve, and Ocean's Thirteen.

Reviews

[Nicolas Saldana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was HILARIOUS!I mean when are sub read it I was about to FALL OVER.

[Caroline Petty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must have for Halloween. It's fun and scary but not too scary so that children can't enjoy themselves. I loved the fact that on every few pages the author asks questions such as "Is it too scary for you" or "should i keep going"? It really gets children into the suspenseful Halloween spirit of the season. It also teaches children that good authors draw their readers in and make them not want to stop reading. It's a good lesson in the craft of writing.

[Tara Blue · Rating 2 out of 5]

We really really did not dig this book.
Then there is the wonky issue of... sure lets teach kids to follow a stranger home, and if there are massive red flags its probably just them having fun, no need to run o.O

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a title like that, how could you ever pass up this book? This is a story about a boy who lives next to a man with a kind of scary crooked smile. While observing this man from behind a tree he sees a marble roll out of a box that looks just like an eyeball. He decides that further investigation is necessary and creeps too close to the neighbor's basement window . . . and falls with a crash into the room. He offers the eye to his neighbor and makes a ghoulish discovery about his neighbor's career.

Great book for Halloween. Every few sentences the narrator checks to make sure that you are not to scared to continue with the story and even opens by letting the reader know that he will stop anytime he is asked to! This adds humor to the story but also allows a child to bravely forge ahead at their own pace. The illustrations are a wonderful combination of cartoon reality and the scary stuff is truly bilious. There is also a nice surprise ending that proves that these two have become good friends.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was atmospheric and the pauses in between pages makes it easy for the storyteller to narrate the book in a mysterious manner. Unfortunately, some of my children found some pictures to be too scary. The graphics was pretty eerie... Although nothing actually scary happened, but some parts were creepy. I wouldn't recommend this to young children.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

the perfect amount of scary for my preschooler. Great format. Lots of actually creepy things like inviting a random kid into your basement at midnight instead of taking them directly to their parents.

[sarah young · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the worst children’s books I’ve ever suffered through. The creepy illustrations, definitely serial killer vibes, opposing stranger danger teachings, kidnapper sentiments, terrifying moments. Why was this even created? I feel as though my children now need therapy.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute for kids....the book I borrowed didn't have the audio..I was hoping to listen to Carl. It's really perfect the all kids.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I'd noticed this on my library shelves a week ago! This would have been a GREAT story with my students this week. Fun and just a bit scary-- perfect for children and Halloween.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy . . . very creepy. But fun.

[CoraJane Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Car Reiner's narration is so good and the story is cute too!

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A scary story for those brave enough to read it!

[Melanie, Aaron, Annie, and Mary Project · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read by: Mary
Author: Carl Reiner
Illustrator: James Bennett
Genre: horror-supernatural/humor
Interest Level: 3-5
Grade level Equivalent: 3.3
Lexile Measure®: 560L
Guided Reading: O

The book starts off with a father telling his son a story about when he was younger and a scary new neighbor. The man drops a marble that looks like an eye and this makes the young boy go to the neighbors house to return it, but he falls into the basement and sees scary masks, finding out that the neighbor makes scary Halloween costumes. Throughout the book, the author asks the reader if they are scared and if they want to stop reading, it brings the reader in, making it seem that they are the child being read to. The artfully done pictures help to complete the story. The book comes with a CD, which can be used as a read along for the younger grades.

[Graywaren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book and read along CD. I actually wish there was an audio version without the parts asking if it was too scary to continue and a description of the frightening masks as the narrator's performance is quite entertaining and I'd like to listen to it separately from the book. However, wishes and fishes and all that, overall it's an interesting little fright of a book that would be appropriate for budding spooky story readers. It breaks the tension quite often by asking the reader if it's too scary to continue. More adept scary story lovers will probably find that a bit annoying. Still, it's a fun tale, especially when read by Carl Reiner. I enjoyed the clever name of Mr. Neewollah. The illustrations bobble on the line of bizarre, which is fitting, but leave me undecided on whether I care for them or not.

[Mrs. C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third graders were scared (but not too scared!) by this spooky Halloween tale. Listening to the CD while looking at the pictures made it much more fun. We talked about how the background music, voices, pictures and text all combined to make the story scary. Then at the end, we felt just like the main character -- a little silly and a little relieved to find out that our imaginations got the better of us!

[Skylar Burris · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've listened to this one on CD in the car going on 47 times now. Is it strange that my three-year-old son wanders off by himself several times a day and performs dramatic readings of this story, which he has virtually memorized line by line? I'm not sure what fascinates them so much, but both of my children love this tale. It is very well read, and the illustrations are bold and interesting. It's scary...but not TOO scary.

[ZZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother bought me this book today - we have not read it yet, but I think I will like it. I will report back soon with my review and rating!

My friend Morrigan read this to me the other night - it was only a little scary. I did like it.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary, but not too scary book! Extra fun when you look at the book while the cd plays. Carl Reiner does an excellent job narrating. My boys were a little scared, but couldn't wait to turn the page!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The new neighbor, Mr. Neewallah, drops a marble that looks like an eye. The boy tries to find out what is going on. There are lots of scary costumes and he learns that his neighbor scares people for a living.

[Sarah A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apparently this was too scary for me. I skimmed it after my daughter chose to read it at bedtime and I couldn't face reading it! I'll try again with the cd in the daytime and see if it might work for her though as she has no fear!

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title really says it - it hits that sweet spot for little kids who love scary stories but are probably too young and nightmare-prone for most of them. The page with all the eyeballs on it is a huge hit. I've read this to 5 and 6 year olds and they love it. Have't listened to the CD.

[Tweller83 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun one I read for Adol. Lit.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As far as good kid books go, my kids loved this one. We got it with the audio CD and we turn off all the lights and listen to it in the dark. Very well done and like it says... not too scary!

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is okay but we really like the Seinfeld one better. To each his own.

[Braiden · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was this boy who was playing



Because this could happen soon
hehheheh.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was fantasy because if you were walking and you saw a eye on the ground that would be fantasy it should have blood

[Dilan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book would fit in this category because the boy did,nt now what was uder the sheet

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have done it snoopt in my nabers basmat 1oooooo.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Will wasn't a big fan, which makes me not that big of a fan, either.

[Carri · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids love this book especially every Halloween.